Christina Applegate has been open about her ongoing battle with multiple sclerosis (MS), revealing the challenges she faces in a candid conversation with her Merry Podcast co-host, actress Jamy Lyn Sigler, who also lives with the condition. Applegate, who was diagnosed with MS in 2021, shared that she has been hospitalized more than 30 times due to symptoms such as severe pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. She described the pain as “unimaginable,” and went on to explain that even something as simple as needing to go to the bathroom causes her immense distress. She admitted that when she experiences nausea, it often leads to an intense pain that becomes almost unbearable.

Applegate went on to share that despite numerous medical tests, it wasn’t until recently that she had come to a possible conclusion about the source of her symptoms. She suspects that the MS might be causing her organs to slow down, which could be contributing to the physical challenges she faces. The actress emphasized the importance of raising awareness, saying that she plans to discuss her theories with doctors, despite others perhaps dismissing her concerns as unfounded.

As someone who has spent decades in the spotlight, Applegate’s diagnosis has forced her to confront the physical toll the disease has taken on her life. She humorously recalled times when she could barely walk without risking a fall or feeling overwhelming tingling sensations in her legs. Applegate also spoke about the mental strain of dealing with such intense health challenges, admitting that she sometimes struggles to breathe and even has difficulty seeing, further underlining the severity of her condition.

Despite the hardships, Applegate has remained committed to her work behind the scenes, including her podcast, which supports and advocates for other MS patients. She uses her platform to blend humor with her personal struggles, offering a space for those affected by the disease to feel understood. In a lighter moment, she shared a humorous tip for others dealing with MS: always keep a trash can near the toilet for when you’re simultaneously dealing with nausea and diarrhea, acknowledging the messiness of life with a sense of humor.

Ultimately, Applegate’s approach to her illness is one of resilience and presence. She chooses to be grateful for the opportunities she has, like entertaining and connecting with others, even in the face of ongoing health battles. Her candidness not only sheds light on the daily realities of living with MS, but it also offers a sense of camaraderie to others who are experiencing similar challenges. Through her podcast and her public conversations, she hopes to normalize the struggles of those with MS and offer some much-needed humor in the process.